"harry" wrote ...

On Feb 3, 10:16 pm, Tater Cole wrote:
Downtown Abbey is a pretty good program on BBC America. However,
actual research suggests that British aristocracy treated most of the
domestic class like animals. In fact, I believe some hunting dogs had
it much better than your typical laundry maid. Yes, the Butler and
Housekeeper were treated with respect, but still, seems like this
program is quite inaccurate regarding the Victorian domestic class.
Maybe it's simply liberal Brit revisionist history at work again,
through the auspices of 'high entertainment' by the BBC.


I knew several people who were in "service" as it is called.
Back then,they were treated like shit.
Badly paid with cramped filthy cold accommodation.
But everything was tough back then, everyone was treated like shit not
just in the UK.
Worst of all was the USA where immigrants were lured by false promises
and then put in sweatshops etc.

Where service exists now (pretty limited) life is a lot better.

Before WW2, even quite small households would have a "housekeeper" at
least. Even terrace houses.
About 25% of the population was employed as servants of some sort.

If you are comparing how they were treated then to how you think now it's
irrelevant. I say that as the general population of this Country were living
in total poverty especially in the Cities like London. More than one family
to a room, and they were big families, one toilet between hundreds, no
washing facilities, just like some of the worst shantytowns of today. When
you got old or could not work the Workhouse became your home or you died. So
getting a clean room, with clean bed linen and clothes to wear and food
provided was heaven for most.
Yes they were mostly treated hard but then life was hard everywhere for the
normal population. 16 hour days 6 days a week and you had to attend Church
twice on Sundays.

--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK